According to a recent press release, the British Army has successfully tested a new radiofrequency weapon that has the potential to disrupt and neutralise swarms of drones using directed energy.
The Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon (RFDEW) demonstrator, developed under Project Ealing, can engage threats across land, air, and sea by emitting high-frequency radio waves.
The RFDEW system is capable of targeting and neutralising drones up to 1 kilometre away with near-instantaneous effect. At an estimated energy cost of less than 10p per shot, it could offer a cost-effective alternative to traditional missile-based air defence systems in the future.
Developed by a Thales UK-led consortium, the RFDEW was tested during a live firing trial at Manorbier Range in West Wales, with soldiers from the Royal Artillery Trials and Development Unit and 7 Air Defence Group successfully engaging drones.
A spokesperson for the Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) RF DEW team said, “The DEW team are working closely with UK Armed Forces, Dstl, and industry partners, using engineering, management, and commercial expertise to deliver directed energy weapons into service and secure a crucial advantage against emerging threats.”
The tested demonstrator weapon will not enter service, but the data and experience gained from the trial will inform the development of future directed energy systems for the UK. With its high level of automation, the system can be operated by a single individual and has the potential to be mounted onto military vehicles, such as the MAN SV, to provide mobility.
Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry, Maria Eagle MP, said, “The successful firing by the British soldiers of our Radio Frequency Directed Energy Weapon is another step forward for a potentially game-changing sovereign weapon for the UK. It’s great to see defence experts and industry working collaboratively to put cutting-edge equipment in the hands of our Armed Forces.”
The weapon demonstrator, developed by Thales UK in collaboration with QinetiQ, Teledyne e2v, and Horiba Mira, supports up to 135 jobs in the UK. Nigel MacVean, MD of Thales Integrated Airspace-protection Systems, expressed his satisfaction with the successful trials, noting, “Thales has been at the forefront of this pioneering technology for over 40 years and our continued research and development in this sector, along with our partners in Government, paves the way for a strong future in this field.”
The next phase, under Project Ealing, will focus on further developing and experimenting with RFDEWs, ensuring that the technology meets the needs of future military operations.
Years behind the curve as usual
who is deploying operational versions of this?
Look up the Leonidas system that the US has been testing going back several years. It has even been deployed to the middle east to undergo operational testing.
Well not quite true, Project Ealing goes back to 2020/21, this might be the demonstrator for that I’m not sure but it’s not something we have just plucked out of thin air. The Leonidas System is still in the development phase though they are further along with their deployment under real time testing in Syria, mainly due to the particular failings of their present set up to combat drones (that cost lives/injuries earlier this year) so lives are immediately at stake. Thankfully we don’t have forces so exposed.
Dave, I don’t agree. If they are testing a developed system now, then they initiated the project some time ago, when drones became a major threat. We may be the first in the world using this technical solution. Additionally, we have other anti-drone solutions in place anyway.
Excellent, anything needs to be tested against drones. But i hope also to see anti drones-drones.
True.
Alex, there are many anti-drone solutions in place already. The more, the better.
This technology is not new, what is new is using the technology to purposefully disrupt or even damage the circuitry on an aircraft/drone.
RF emitters have for the last 40 years been known to affect aircraft systems, both analogue and digital. Even those that have supposedly been hardened to prevent electromagnetic interference (EMI). There is a threshold, which will overcome the hardening. One of the first that I knew about was when a Tornado flew too close to a radio tower. Where the RF interfered with not only the flight control computer, but the cockpit displays and the engines ECUs. The Tornado was at low level and the pilot had lost command of the aircraft, causing both crew to bang out. Subsequently losing the Tornado into a hillside.
I know from past experience how powerful the Tornado F3’s Foxhunter radar was. Jets based at Leuchars regularly interfered with TV sets in and around St.Andrews. When techies were ground testing the radar with a worn RAM screen.
If you take this to the next logical conclusion. Then using a radar to not only search for and track targets. But then to use it to interfere with the target, is a bit of a no brainer. However, the level of interference is not a given. As a lot will depend on the effective radiated power of the transmitter. But also the make up of the circuitry on the target. One cause of interference, is if you have a number of components with “legs” that match the transmitted frequency. These will act like antennas, thereby allowing EMI to be induced into the circuitry. This can then either cause noise on the circuit lines or if a large enough current has been induced can damage IC chips.
As reported elsewhere. It is perhaps telling that the drone targets that were engaged, were at 1km distance. This tells me quite a lot about the system as published. However, I wouldn’t be surprised if the emitter was turned down, so that the “effects” were kept with the range boundaries.